Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Kids’ Breakfast Club Nutrition Program At John Muir Elementary School, Marlena E. Uhrik

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to assess The Kids’ Breakfast Club nutrition program and how it has impacted the lives of participating families. The results of a parent survey were used to help guide The Kids’ Breakfast Club in evaluating the effectiveness of the program and to assist the organization in providing the most appropriate educational experiences for the participants.

The Kids’ Breakfast Club is a nonprofit organization designed to improve the quality of life for children and their families. The organization is dedicated to the empowerment of young children and their families through nutrition, education, positive educational and social …

Meeting The Needs Of An Elementary School Community: Providing A Safe And Enriching Environment In An Afterschool Program, Darlene M. Moye

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to provide a high-quality afterschool program in an elementary school by providing a safe environment and enrichment activities. The afterschool program that previously existed at the elementary school was primarily day care and did not include enrichment activities. Parents, students, and program personnel were dissatisfied with the program and wanted a change.

To effect change, the writer implemented a school operated afterschool program using building-level staff for program personnel. The program included opportunities for children to complete homework with assistance and to participate in enrichment opportunities. Procedures were established to provide a safe …

A Saturday School Program For At-Risk Students, Melvin Hitchens

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation is the frequency and severity of behavior related infractions. Township administrators are concerned because growing populations of students were violating the district’s policy on character education. Administrators were also concerned because a majority of these students academically lagged behind their peers.

The Saturday School Program was established for students who demonstrated a lack of respect for others. Students have threatened administrators with physical violence. Such behavior was a violation of the school policy on character development, which states that students should exhibit an attitude of caring, courage, honesty, responsibility and self-discipline. Although the lack of character …

Adolescent Participation In School Nutrition Meal Benefit Programs: A Case Study, Janice P. Maddox

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation is a historical case study targeted at the segment of a high school population who are eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits but do not take advantage of these benefits. The population to be studied is those students who take advantage of the free or reduced price benefits to which they are entitled less than 50% of the days that school is in session. Frequency of eating counts will be compared for the past 11 years in order to discern if the target population participation has changed over the years by programs designed to increase …

Improving The Lifetime Wellness Skills Of Middle School Students With Disabilities, Rene Rodrigue Jr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the lifetime wellness skills of middle school students with disabilities. It was conducted in an Adapted Physical Education Program, with support visits to a local fitness facility. The lifetime wellness activities included aerobic fitness, strength training, and making healthy food choices. Students in the past program were not given the opportunities to learn the skills needed to participate in these activities. The writer believed this contributed to the high incidence of childhood obesity and poor motor skills of the population.

Several aerobic fitness and strength training activities were selected by the writer. They …

Identifying And Analyzing The Learning Styles Of Mba Students In The College Of Business And Management At Cardinal Stritch University To Improve Attrition, Kim M. Herzer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem identified in this study is the gap that exists between graduating MBA students’ learning styles beginning at Cardinal Stritch University (CSU) and the current instructional strategies and curriculum design utilized by MBA faculty. In order to ascertain MBA students’ learning evidence, learning styles of MBA students must be taken into account. The purposes of this study were to identify and analyze beginning and graduating MBA students’ learning styles and apply that knowledge to enhance learning and teaching in the College of Business and Management (CBM) to improve attrition at CSU.

There were four research questions for this study. …

Will A New Math Program Improve Burnsville Elementary School Third Grade Student Achievement?, Debra B. Brewer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation implemented a curriculum change in math for third graders in a rural elementary school with a student population of 530. An analysis of the end of grade testing over the past two years indicated that the third graders at this school scored 11.5 Normal Curve Equivalent (NCEs) below the other third graders in the school district.

The intervention implemented the Saxon Math Program, along with an appropriate professional development program designed to strength the math program and to increase third grade students’ math skill development. The intervention focused on training the third grade teachers to use the …

Improving The Reading Comprehension Achievement Of Third Grade Students, Delores L. Bedar

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Students at DePriest Elementary School were performing poorly on standardized assessments in reading comprehension. The possible causes of low student performance were (a) teachers’ beliefs and practices, (b) the reading curriculum, (c) students’ lack of knowledge as to how to read for meaning, and (d) the lack of parent involvement in their children’s schooling.

This dissertation examined the improvement of students’ reading comprehension performance through the use of strategic reading instruction, professional development of teachers, and parental involvement. It examined whether instructing students in the use of comprehension strategies improved their reading comprehension performance.

A reading comprehension strategies curriculum model …

The Development Of A Bilingual Program Assessment Tool, Francisco R. Grullon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

An average of 43% of limited English proficient (LEP) students in Grade 4 failed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System in spring 2001 compared to 6% of the regular education Grade 4 students within Massachusetts. The failure rate of LEP students should be at the same level or close to the same level as the failure rate of regular education students. Moreover, the achievement gap between regular and LEP students seems to increase from elementary school to middle school and on to high school.

This applied dissertation identified the variables that affect the academic achievement of LEP students through a review …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Aspiration And Refusal Of Oral Intake In The Dementia Population, Tina Walker Bullock

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to identify aspiration as a possible cause of oral intake refusal in the dementia population. This was a common occurrence in the skilled nursing facility population in which the principal investigator of this project is employed. Patients with a diagnosis of dementia who had demonstrated characteristics of swallowing problems, dysphagia, weight loss, oral intake refusal of meals or liquids, decreased intake, expelling of food or liquid during meals or snacks, holding food or liquid in the mouth, change in appetite, skin integrity problems, or increased feeding time were considered for participation in this study. The …

Using Graphic Organizers To Enhance The Academic Achievement And Self-Esteem Of Haitian Esol Students, Ingrid Chrisphonte

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase the academic achievement and self-esteem of English to Speakers of Other Languages Haitian students in language arts through reading and writing. Haitian students were not at the academic level of their counterparts in English. Teacher assessment and observed student behavior in writing assignments and class participation were evidence that a problem existed. Haitian students submitted writing tests that were incomplete. They were unlikely to participate in classroom discussion or to share answers aloud. It was important to make learning enjoyable in a nonthreatening environment.

The writer used various strategies to accomplish the goals. …

Project Second Chance: A Dropout Prevention Program, May W. Bolden

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

During the 1998-1999 academic year, 8.78% of the students in grades 11 and 12 dropped out of the two high schools located in Florence, Alabama. This percentage increased each year and was projected to reach an unacceptable rate of 18.51% during the 2001-2002 academic year.

The researcher initiated a dropout prevention program, called Project Second Chance, in order to reduce the dropout rate. Project Second Chance allowed students to retake failed or lost-credit courses in evening classes. The project had the additional objectives to improve students’ self-image, prevent them from missing regular courses due to the necessity to repeat core …

The Development Of A Plan For The Viability Of Physical Education At Calhoun Community College With A Plan For Implementation And Evaluation, Nancy Keenum

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The current economic decline in Alabama has meant that educational institutions have had to deal with serious financial shortfalls and budget cuts. The problem facing Calhoun Community College is that funding cuts have resulted in an 80% reduction of the Physical Education department at a time when the administration has an interest in future long-term growth, physical education courses remain a viable option for students, and there is an increased awareness of the concomitant health benefits. This applied dissertation was designed to provide a comprehensive plan for the Physical Education department to meet the needs of the students by remaining …

Improving The Readiness Skills Of Kindergarten Students, Karen J. Jensen

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

At New Hope Elementary School, which included Kindergarten through Grade 8, students performed below the system average on standardized tests at every grade level. The eighth-grade students left New Hope Elementary School to attend ninth grade at New Hope High School. New Hope High School received ninth-grade students from only New Hope Elementary School. In 2001-2002, New Hope High School had the highest dropout rate in the system. The academic deficiencies at New Hope High School and New Hope Elementary School were traced to the kindergarten level. Students in kindergarten scored significantly lower than the system average on 2001 state-mandated …

Usage Of Federally Donated Food In The School Meal Program, Sandra Shannon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

In 1999—2000, an audit of 15 Miami Dade County Public Schools by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Food and Nutrition (VanTreese, 2000), revealed that none of the 15 were effectively utilizing federally donated commodities in the meal program. A review of quantitative data from 26 schools revealed there was an overall usage rate of 62% of federally donated food in the school meal program, 38% less than the federal government requirements that 100% of donated commodities be used. The commodity usage rate in 2000-2001 for B Elementary School was 85%, and the commodity usage rate …

Training Teachers To Meet The Developmentally Appropriate Needs Of Preschool Children, Sharon R. Brown

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers were having great difficulty meeting the developmental needs of the children. This was evidenced by the teachers’ restriction of unstructured playtime, lack of interaction by the teachers with the children during outdoor play, and the children’s inability to engage in probing, exploratory dialogue.

The solution strategy combined a series of trainings for teachers to learn how to engage children actively in meaningful and age-appropriate learning activities to meet their developmental needs. There were two inservice trainings for the teachers. The topics of the trainings were The Use of Outdoor Space as a Learning Environment for Preschoool Children and How …

Improving Reading Achievement By Integrating Technology In After School Instructional Programs, Timothy L. Cliby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This research endeavor institutes change in an after school program for elementary students of an inner city elementary school. The program seeks to improve student performance on standardized English language testing, improve student motivation and attendance. The hypothesis that a prescriptive after school program, that utilizes Web based activities as an integrated component of instruction, will lead to improved student performance through increased motivation, instructional habits and attendance. Redesigning the program will establish an environment capable of sustaining student motivation and attendance resulting in sustained instructional engagement.

The instructional design is a transformation of traditional instructional practices for this program. …

An Evaluation Of Curricular Effectiveness In Addressing Critical Thinking Skills Among Physical Therapist Assistant Programs In New England, Elizabeth V. Fuller

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate the extent to which Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs in New England addressed critical thinking skills in their curricula. Norm values were measured for two standardized measures of critical thinking and the extent to which course materials promoted critical thinking was determined using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Teaching strategies were compiled for use by PTA faculty to foster the development of critical thinking skills.

Eight of eighteen PTA programs within New England participated. Scores on the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (13.87 of a possible 34 points) were lower than those reported for …

An Overview Of Special Education Designed For Caretakers, Parents, And Professionals, Diane C. Sherkow

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to provide daycare owners and directors with the required training in the area of Special Needs in order to maintain their accreditation and licensure. The module that was being used by the state for child care instruction on special needs was not current with Federal rules and regulation. A manual, materials, and activities were developed and implemented to increase the knowledge and understanding of the area of mainstreaming children with disabilities into the daycare setting. Information regarding the current rules and regulations that impact the child care center when working with special needs children was researched …

Providing Character Education Towards Resiliency For An Alternative Education High School, Anita L. Herron

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to address the need to improve the educational profile of an urban alternative education high school that failed to meet one or more of the state's standards for achievement, attendance, and school performance. A character education curriculum holistic case management program was developed to address this problem.

The program provided students with a three-focus educational strand instructional program: Case management intervention, academic diagnostic assessment, and an individualized planning and instructional curriculum to achieve school success. The writer presented a comprehensive intervention service that required all participants to attend a mandatory orientation, community-based involvement, consultation, and …

Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of An Hiv And Aids Knowledge And Peer Education Program For African American And Caribbean American Women, James Mbachiantim

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this research project was to conduct a quantitative evaluation that employed a pretest and posttest HIV and AIDS knowledge assessment and a qualitative evaluation of an HIV and AIDS peer prevention-intervention program. Quantitative data from the pretest and posttest knowledge assessment instrument were used to determine the effectiveness of the program in improving HIV and AIDS knowledge. Qualitative data from process evaluation were used to determine which aspects of the peer prevention-intervention program were working and which aspects needed changing and to provide a model for the evaluation of HIV and AIDS prevention program in other settings. …

Intervention Plan To Reduce Truancy Of Seventh-, Eighth-, And Ninth-Grade Students, Mike Stiefel

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes the attendance problems of students at Wellborn High School. Wellborn High School is 1 of 7 high schools in the Calhoun County School District. Located in a community with a high poverty rate and limited employment opportunities, the school has the highest percentage of truancy of 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-grade students in the district. Many parents of this community do not value education; therefore, they are indifferent to enforcing the attendance policy of the school district.

A review of selected literature was conducted to identify causes of truancy. After identification of many characteristics of truancy and …

Addressing The Training Needs Of Educational Professionals Related To Students With Special Needs, Sue E. Bast

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was developed to provide a solution to the problem of the lack of training for teachers, regular and special education, related to students with special needs. Though the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act specifies that training should be provided to staff working with students having special needs, on-going trainings were not occurring in this writer’s district. Teachers expressed frustration and negativity related to having students in their class who have special needs. Often this was due to the fact that they had not received any training in their undergraduate courses.

To address this problem, an in-service of …

Improving Grade 6 Reading Comprehension Skills At Dvorak Academy By Implementing A Reading Program, Leonard B. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes a reading literature-based program to increase reading achievement of Grade 6 students at Dvorak Academy, public school, located in Chicago, Illinois. Based on the skills analysis report of Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) reading scores from 1999 through 2001, 64% of Grade 6 students averaged below the national 50th percentile.

Possible causes for the problem included (a) inappropriate reading instructional methods, (b) lack of student motivation in reading the required number of recreational reading books, and (c) lack of teacher preparation in teaching reading.

The goal of this applied dissertation was to improve reading by …

A Comprehensive Reading Program To Increase Reading Skills Of Low-Performing Students, Annie C. Savage

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This dissertation describes a schoolwide program that was designed to improve reading skills of students at a middle school with a population of 700 students. Located in the northwest section of Huntsville, Alabama, the public school houses students in grades 6, 7, and 8. An analysis of data from the Stanford Achievement Test, the Qualitative Reading Inventory, and the Student Test and Assessment of Reading indicated that more than 50% of the students in the school were reading below their grade-level equivalency.

Several previously implemented instructional strategies, such as Accelerated Reader and the Alabama Reading Initiative Program had not impacted …

Anorexic Eating: Two Case Studies In Hong Kong, Zenobia C.Y. Chan, Joyce L.C. Ma

The Qualitative Report

Little attention has been paid to the eating experience of anorectic females during the course of their illness. In order to enrich this understanding, two adult anorexics were selected and their emails were collected and analyzed. Analysis of these emails reveals the patients' experiences with and feelings about eating, which can provide an in-depth understanding of their circumstances and family dynamics. The paper ends with a discussion of the results, limitations, and implications of using emails as the data source of a qualitative study, and how they can reveal the informants' inner landscapes.

Practitioners' News - Summer 2002, Volume 29, Number 4, Nova Southeastern University

Practitioners' News

No abstract provided.

The Knight News Volume 12: Issue 9, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Nsu Graduate Teacher Education Program: Graduate Courses And Degree Specializations For Education Professionals 2002, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Com Outlook Summer 2004, College Of Osteopathic Medicine

COM Outlook

No abstract provided.